Smithsonian Institution Archives

Robert B. Klaverkamp Antarctic Collection, circa 1947-1948, 1958

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FA02-223
Creators:
Klaverkamp, Robert B.
Dates:
circa 1947-1948, 1958
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
0.43 cu. ft. (1 12x17 box)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
Materials include press dispatches, clippings, photographs, personal documentation, a scrapbook, a copy of "H. O. No. 138 - Sailing Directions for Antarctica - 1943" with a special supplement dated 1947; and philatelic samples.

Historical Note

Historical Note
These records document the participation of Robert B. Klaverkamp (Enlisted Naval Correspondent) aboard the USS Burton Island (AG-88), flagship of "Task Force 39," a part of "Operation Windmill" (1947-1948). Windmill was the follow-up expedition to "Operation Highjump" (1946-1947).
The Chief of Naval Operations established Operation Windmill as a follow-up to Operation Highjump to train personnel, test equipment, and reaffirm American interests in Antarctica. The expedition gathered a variety of geographic, hydrographic, oceanographic, geologic and meteorological data. Following Operation Highjump, it was determined that the 70,000 photographs taken during the expedition were impossible to reconstruct in any meaningful way because no ground control reference points had been recorded. So, in addition to scientific data gathering and equipment testing, Operation Windmill, and specifically Task Force 39, was charged with determining ground control points from 30 selected locations for use with Aerial photographs taken during Operation Highjump.
The icebreakers USS Burton Island (AG-88) and USS Edisto (AG-89) constituted "Task Force 39." It was their job to plot ground reference points at the 30 selected sites for use with the Operation Highjump photographs. Once the plotting work was done, USS Burton Island stopped at Marguerite Bay, broke through the ice, and freed the Port of Beaumont, a research and support vessel to the Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition (1946-1948), which was a privately funded expedition.
The Smithsonian also participated in "Task Force 39." Malcolm Davis, zookeeper with the National Zoological Park, was assigned to the USS Edisto with the express purpose of collecting penguins, other birds, and leopard seals. See Record Unit 74, box 194 for more information regarding Davis' activities.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 02-223, Robert B. Klaverkamp Antarctic Collection

More Information

Notes

Personal Papers


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Klaverkamp, Robert B. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Davis, Malcolm Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Burton Island (Icebreaker) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Edisto (Icebreaker) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Port of Beaumont (Ship) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Zoological Park (U.S.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
United States. Navy Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
United States. Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Operation Highjump (1946-1947) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Operation Windmill (1947-1948) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Task Force 39 (U.S. Naval operation) (1947-1948) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition (1946-1948) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Scientific expeditions -- Antarctica Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Expeditions Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sea birds Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Seals (Animals) Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Penguins Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Antarctica Place Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Marguerite Bay (Antarctica) Place Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Books Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clippings Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Newsletters Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Black-and-white photographs Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Smithsonian Institution Archives
Washington, D.C.
Contact us at osiaref@si.edu